Bedding with respiration vents

ABSTRACT

Bedding items including a fabric expanse and a respiration vent. The fabric expanse is configured to be placed on a person and defines an interior side facing the person and an exterior side opposite the interior side. An interior volume of air is defined proximate the interior side and an exterior volume of air is defined proximate the exterior side and opposite the interior volume. The respiration vent is defined in the fabric expanse. The respiration vent is configured to facilitate communication of air between the exterior volume and the interior volume through the fabric expanse to aid the person covered by the fabric expanse in the interior volume inhaling air from the exterior volume and exhaling air to the exterior volume.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to bedding items. In particular, bedding items with respiration vents are described.

Known bedding items are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing bedding items do not effectively accommodate covering one's head with the bedding item without restricting one's breathing. In addition, conventional bedding items do not provide a window through which one may breathe. Further, existing bedding items lack a window through which one may see outside the bedding item as needed, such as to read the time from a clock or to see people approaching on an airplane.

Thus, there exists a need for bedding items that improve upon and advance the design of known bedding items. Examples of new and useful bedding items relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to bedding items including a fabric expanse and a respiration vent. The fabric expanse is configured to be placed on a person and defines an interior side facing the person and an exterior side opposite the interior side. An interior volume of air is defined proximate the interior side and an exterior volume of air is defined proximate the exterior side and opposite the interior volume. The respiration vent is defined in the fabric expanse. The respiration vent is configured to facilitate communication of air between the exterior volume and the interior volume through the fabric expanse to aid the person covered by the fabric expanse in the interior volume inhaling air from the exterior volume and exhaling air to the exterior volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a bedding item, the bedding item depicted covering two people lying side-by-side fully over their heads with a respiration vent including mesh material positioned to overlie their noses and mouths to facilitate breathing through the respiration vent.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bedding item shown in FIG. 1 depicting the respiration vent spaced a selected distance from a top end of the bedding item.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the bedding item shown in FIG. 1 with a top portion of the bedding item folded over onto itself a distance sufficient to cover the respiration vent.

FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of the bedding item shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of a portion of the respiration vent shown in FIG. 1 depicting a light fixture visible through the mesh material of the respiration vent and the fabric expanse surrounding the respiration vent blocking light transmission through the fabric expanse

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a second example of a bedding item with a respiration vent defined by an opening in the fabric expanse without a mesh material extending across the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed bedding items will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various bedding items are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

Definitions

The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.

“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components.

Bedding Items with Respiration Vents

With reference to the figures, bedding items including respiration vents will now be described. The bedding items discussed herein function to facilitate restful sleeping. More specifically, the bedding items herein function to enable a person to cover his or her head with the bedding item and to breathe easily through the bedding item. The bedding items described in this application also function to enable a person whose head is covered by the bedding item to selectively cover his or her eyes with the bedding item and to selectively see outside the bedding item.

The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that the presently disclosed bedding items address many of the shortcomings of conventional bedding items. For example, the bedding items discussed herein accommodate covering one's head with the bedding item without restricting one's breathing. In addition, the bedding items discussed in this document provide a window through which one may breathe and through which one may see outside the bedding item as needed. The respiration vent or window enables a person to read the time from a nearby clock or to see approaching people, such as flight attendant, when using the bedding item to cover his or her head.

Contextual Details

The features of items used in conjunction with the bedding items described herein will first be described to provide context and to aid the discussion of the bedding items.

Person

The bedding items discussed below may be used by one or more people. For example, a person may cover himself or herself with the bedding item. In some examples, the person may use the bedding item to cover his or her head. In some examples, the bedding items discussed herein are used by pets or other animals.

In FIG. 1, a first person 104 and a second person 105 are depicted covered by a bedding item 100. A face 122, a nose 124, and a mouth 126 of first person 104 and of second person 105 are depicted to illustrate how a respiration vent 114 may be oriented to overlie nose 124 and mouth 126 of a person. Eyes 127 are also depicted to illustrate how respiration vent 114 may be selectively positioned below a person's eyes such that eyes 127 are covered by a fabric expanse 102 to help block light from reaching eyes 127. As depicted in FIG. 5, a person may selectively position respiration vent 114 over his or her eyes to look through respiration vent 114 to see objects, such a light fixture 107, that would not be as clearly visible through fabric expanse 102.

Bed

Among various other locations, such as a chair, a couch, or the floor, the bedding items discussed below may be used while a person is lying on a bed. For context, a bed 101 is depicted in FIG. 1 with a headboard 103 and a mattress 109. Any currently known or later developed type of bed is suitable for use with the bedding items discussed herein.

Bedding Item Embodiment One

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a first example of a bedding item, bedding item 100, will now be described. Bedding item 100 includes a fabric expanse 102 and a respiration vent 114. Other bedding item examples may include fewer, additional, or alternative features than shown in FIGS. 1-5.

As shown in FIG. 1, bedding item 100 is configured to cover or lay on top of a person or multiple people. In some applications, bedding item 100 is wrapped around a person. Bedding item 100 may be used to cover a person in a bed 101, such as shown in FIG. 1, on a couch, in a chair, sitting or lying on the floor, or while standing.

Bedding item 100 provides a layer of insulation for warmth and comfort. Additionally or alternatively, bedding item 100 functions to provide a sense of security to aid with sleeping and relaxing. Bedding item 100 also functions to at least partially isolate one from external sensory inputs, such as sights and sounds, that could interfere with sleep and relaxation. Further, bedding item 100 facilitates breathing fresh air while one's head is covered by bedding item 100.

Fabric Expanse

Fabric expanse 102 functions to provide structure to bedding item 100 and to define respiration vent 114. In some examples, such as shown in FIGS. 1-5, fabric expanse 102 functions to insulate a person covered by bedding item 100 for warmth and comfort. Fabric expanse 102 also functions to at least partially block out light, sound, and other sensory inputs that could interfere with sleep and relaxation.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, fabric expanse 102 is a blanket 136. However, the fabric expanse may comprise fabric in any currently known or later developed form of bedding item, such as a duvet, a quilt, a comforter, a throw, or a sheet.

As shown in FIG. 5, fabric expanse 102 is opaque. The opaque quality of fabric expanse 102 means that it blocks light, which may be used to cover a person's eyes to help him or her sleep. However, the opaque quality also means that objects will generally not be visible through fabric expanse 102, such as light fixture 107, which is depicted with dashed lines in FIG. 5 as hidden behind fabric expanse 102. In some examples, the fabric expanse is not opaque and is transparent or semi-transparent.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, fabric expanse 102 is configured to be placed on a first person 104 and a second person 105. The reader can see in FIG. 1 that fabric expanse 102 is large enough to cover two people lying side by side. In some examples, the size of the fabric expanse is selected to cover a single person, a pet, or other animal. In certain examples, the size of the fabric expanse is selected to cover a portion of a person, pet, or other animal rather than fully cover them. In other examples, the size of the fabric expanse is selected to cover more than two people, such as three people, or four or more people.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, fabric expanse 102 defines an interior side 106 facing first person 104 and an exterior side 108 opposite interior side 106. An interior volume 110 of air is defined proximate interior side 106 and an exterior volume of air 112 is defined proximate exterior side 108 and opposite interior volume 110. In the example shown in FIG. 1, first person 104 and second person 105 are located in interior volume 110 underneath fabric expanse 102 and a headboard 103 is located in exterior volume 112. With reference to FIG. 5, a light fixture 107 is located in exterior volume 112 and the view is depicted from a position in interior volume 110.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, fabric expanse 102 includes a first longitudinal end 120 and a second longitudinal end 121 opposite first longitudinal end 120. With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the reader can see that fabric expanse 102 includes a first lateral end 123 and a second lateral end 125 opposite first lateral end 123. A minor portion 128 of fabric expanse 102 is depicted in FIGS. 1-4 between respiration vent 114 and first longitudinal end 120. A major portion 130 of fabric expanse 102 is depicted in FIGS. 1-4 between second longitudinal end 121 and minor portion 128 and encompassing respiration vent 114.

Respiration Vent

Respiration vent 114 is configured to facilitate communication of air between exterior volume 112 and interior volume 110 through fabric expanse 102. Facilitating air communication through fabric expanse 102 aids first person 104 and second person 105 covered by fabric expanse 102 in interior volume 110 to inhale air from exterior volume 112 and to exhale air to exterior volume 112. As shown in FIG. 5, respiration vent 114 is further configured to transmit light sufficient for a person in interior volume 110 to see objects, such as light fixture 107, located in exterior volume 112 through respiration vent 114.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, respiration vent 114 is defined in fabric expanse 102. In the present example, respiration vent 114 includes a mesh material 116 extending across respiration vent 114. In other examples, such as shown in FIG. 6, the respiration vent is an opening without material extending across the respiration vent.

The mesh material may be any currently known or later developed type, form, or configuration of mesh material. The mesh material may be formed by conventional or later developed weaving and knitting techniques as well as other manufacturing techniques. Suitable materials for the mesh material include natural and synthetic textiles or fibers, such as polyester or nylon. Any currently known or later developed material or textile may be used to form the mesh material extending across the respiration vents in the presently disclosed bedding items. The size and shape of the mesh openings may vary widely and be selected to suit different applications.

As shown in FIG. 1, respiration vent 114 overlies faces 122 of first person 104 and second person 105 covered by fabric expanse 102 in interior volume 110. In particular, respiration vent 114 extends longitudinally sufficient to encompass or overlie a nose 124 and a mouth 126 of first person 104 and of second person 105. The reader can also see in FIG. 1 that fabric expanse 102 overlies eyes 127 of first person 104 and of second person 105 to block out light.

In the present example, respiration vent 114 extends laterally across a majority of fabric expanse 102. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, respiration vent 114 extends laterally across fabric expanse 102 a distance sufficient to overlie faces 122 of both first person 104 and second person 105 lying side by side. In other examples, the respiration vent extends across smaller portions of the fabric expanse.

For example, the respiration vent may extend laterally a distance sufficient to overlie a face of just one person lying side by side. In some examples, the fabric expanse defines two or more separate respiration vents. For example, the fabric expanse may define a first respiration vent configured to be used by a first person and a second respiration vent laterally spaced from the first respiration vent and configured to be used by a second person.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, respiration vent 114 is defined in fabric expanse 102 proximate first longitudinal end 120 of fabric expanse 102. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-4, respiration vent 114 is spaced from first longitudinal end 120 a distance selected to be covered by minor portion 128 of fabric expanse 102 when minor portion 128 is folded over onto a major portion 130 of fabric expanse 102. The spacing of the respiration vent relative to the first longitudinal end, and therefore the size of the minor and major portions of the fabric expanse, may vary and be selected to suit different applications.

Additional Embodiments

With reference to the figures not yet discussed, the discussion will now focus on additional bedding item embodiments. The additional embodiments include many similar or identical features to bedding item 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of the additional embodiments below will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between the additional embodiments and bedding item 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the different bedding item examples.

Second Embodiment

Turning attention to FIG. 6, a second example of a bedding item, bedding item 200, will now be described. As can be seen in FIG. 6, bedding item 200 includes a fabric expanse 202 and a respiration vent 214. A distinction between bedding item 200 and bedding item 100 is that respiration vent 214 is an opening 218 without material extending across it like mesh material 116 extends across respiration vent 114. The absence of material may increase communication of air or light through the respiration vent.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein. 

1. A bedding item comprising: a fabric expanse configured to be placed on a person and defining an interior side facing the person and an exterior side opposite the interior side, an interior volume of air being defined proximate the interior side and an exterior volume of air being defined proximate the exterior side and opposite the interior volume; and a respiration vent defined in the fabric expanse, the respiration vent being configured to facilitate communication of air between the exterior volume and the interior volume through the fabric expanse to aid the person covered by the fabric expanse in the interior volume inhaling air from the exterior volume and exhaling air to the exterior volume.
 2. The bedding item of claim 1, wherein the respiration vent includes a mesh material extending across the respiration vent.
 3. The bedding item of claim 1, wherein the respiration vent is an opening without material extending across the respiration vent.
 4. The bedding item of claim 1, wherein the respiration vent is defined in the fabric expanse proximate a longitudinal end of the fabric expanse.
 5. The bedding item of claim 4, wherein the respiration vent overlies a face of the person covered by the fabric expanse in the interior volume.
 6. The bedding item of claim 5, wherein the respiration vent overlies a nose and a mouth of the person and the fabric expanse overlies eyes of the person.
 7. The bedding item of claim 4, wherein the respiration vent is spaced from the longitudinal end a distance selected to be covered by a minor portion of the fabric expanse when the minor portion of the fabric expanse is folded over onto a major portion of the fabric expanse.
 8. The bedding item of claim 1, wherein the respiration vent is extends laterally across a majority of the fabric expanse.
 9. The bedding item of claim 8, wherein: the fabric expanse is large enough to cover two people lying side by side; and the respiration vent extends laterally across the fabric expanse a distance sufficient to overlie faces of both of the two people lying side by side.
 10. The bedding item of claim 8, wherein the respiration vent extends longitudinally sufficient to encompass a mouth and a nose of the person.
 11. The bedding item of claim 1, wherein the fabric expanse is a blanket.
 12. The bedding item of claim 1, wherein the fabric expanse is opaque.
 13. The bedding item of claim 12, wherein the respiration vent is configured to transmit light sufficient for the person in the interior volume to see objects located in the exterior volume through the respiration vent.
 14. A bedding item, comprising: a fabric expanse configured to be placed on a person and defining an interior side facing the person and an exterior side opposite the interior side, an interior volume of air being defined proximate the interior side and an exterior volume of air being defined proximate the exterior side and opposite the interior volume; and a respiration vent defined in the fabric expanse proximate a longitudinal end of the fabric expanse and including a mesh material extending across the respiration vent, wherein the respiration vent is configured to facilitate communication of air between the exterior volume and the interior volume through the fabric expanse to aid the person covered by the fabric expanse in the interior volume inhaling air from the exterior volume and exhaling air to the exterior volume; wherein the respiration vent overlies a face of the person covered by the fabric expanse in the interior volume.
 15. The bedding item of claim 14, wherein the respiration vent is spaced from the longitudinal end a distance selected to be covered by a minor portion of the fabric expanse when the minor portion of the fabric expanse is folded over onto a major portion of the fabric expanse.
 16. The bedding item of claim 14, wherein the fabric expanse defines a blanket.
 17. The bedding item of claim 14, wherein the respiration vent overlies a nose and a mouth of the person and the fabric expanse overlies eyes of the person.
 18. The bedding item of claim 14, wherein: the fabric expanse is large enough to cover two people lying side by side; and the respiration vent extends laterally across the fabric expanse a distance sufficient to overlie faces of both of the two people lying side by side.
 19. The bedding item of claim 14, wherein the fabric expanse is opaque.
 20. The bedding item of claim 19, wherein the respiration vent is configured to transmit light sufficient for the person in the interior volume to see objects located in the exterior volume through the respiration vent. 